Bob Finnan of the Morning Journal reports that Cavaliers rookie Dajuan Wagner is slowly making his way back to the game. He has finally been approved to participate in practice and work on his conditioning, but he is not cleared for any contact drills yet.

After spending two weeks n a Cleveland clinic battling a bladder infection, Wagner is just glad to be making progress. Now, after missing all of training camp, he is starting from scratch. ''I was just trying to get it over with,'' he said of the ordeal.

" ?Juanny? is beginning to come on,'' Cavs coach John Lucas said. ''He's less than 10 days away. I'll have to see how he feels. It's like going back to the basics. But I have a really bright student.''

Wagner is eligible to be activated on Friday for the Sixers game, but the Cavaliers say that is unlikely. ''I'm not allowed any contact,'' he said. ''I'm just trying to take it one day at a time. I'm just trying to get in shape. I'm trying to get my strength back. I feel good.''

Wagner lost 15 pounds while in the hospital. He has since gained 6 pounds back. ''I was concerned,'' he said. ''Things happened. I felt like I was locked up in that hospital. I don't know how long it's going to take. I just want to get back in shape."